Main Navigation

Main Content

[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=Keith]

Bitter debate in the General Assembly over relief for laid off textile workers. A live report from the capitol
tonight on NEWS 7.
(------------)
[V/O-NAT SOT]

And we'll take a look at a Brick Company's plans that neighbors fear will ruin the scenic courtryside .
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports, Carolina gets ousted from the ACC tournament, UVa looks to send State packing. Qualifying is on in Atlanta.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And the folks at Fleming are pumped up as Keith Smith is officially named the school's new head football coach.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]

(( The Governor would increase maximum weekly jobless checks by 36 dollars-- retroactively back to November -- for unemployed workers across the state.
But the punchline came this week: only 38-percent of the laid off Tultex workers in Southside would qualify for the increased checks.
[sot 17:01]
((DEL. TED BENNETT: WHAT IN GOD'S NAME HAVE WE COME NEARLY 60 DAYS FOR IN TRYING TO RESPOND... TO END UP WITH THIS PIECE OF ILLUSION?))
[runs= :17]
[sot 19:52]
((DEL. MORGAN GRIFFITH: WE DIDN'T GET THEIR HOPES UP... WE DIDN'T PROMISE THEM THE EMERALD CITY.))
[runs= :13]

Republicans from southwest stood by the Governor's plan as fair to all Virginians.
But they made sure they tucked health insurance benefits into the budget that the Governor had left out.
[sot 26:23]
((DEL. LEO WARDRUP/R-VIRGINIA BEACH: THIS BODY REALLY DOES CARE ABOUT ALL VIRGINIANS.))
[runs= :03 ]
[sot 26:40 ]
((DEL. ALAN DIAMONSTEIN/D-NEWPORT NEWS: WHAT THEY DO NOT HAVE UNFORTUNATELY IS THE BACKBONE TO BACK THAT UP.))
[runs= :04]

In the end, only four Democrats voted against the Governor's plan, including Dick Cranwell.
[sot HOUSE TWO 02:25:52]
((DEL. DICK CRANWELL: WE ARE FIXING TO IN THE NAME OF LEGISLATIVE EXPEDIENCY...ON THE TABLE.))
[runs= :15] ))

[Live=Ellen Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]

It was Dick Cranwell's "crumbs on the table" analogy that was blamed by some Republicans for scuttling a possible last minute compromise.
Some Democrats say NO compromise was ever possible.
In a piece of great news for capitol reporters, the Republican leadership is speeding toward possible adjournment TONIGHT... a day early.

[Radford-Explosion]

The bodies of Debra Sheppard and Karen Hamilton have been positively identified.
They were found inside the New River Castings plant yesterday, four days after an explosion tore through the factory.
Now the city of Radford is turning its attention to the plant's future.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Tonya/Starlink]

[Boty-Business]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-53 1:48:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]
An international car parts factory is expanding in Botetourt County .. spending fifty million dollars and hiring 120 people.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]
Tower Automotives makes parts for commercial vehicles.
It's going to transform this shell building into a quarter million square foot plant in the Vista Corporate Park on Route 11.
The company will add 120 jobs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:34:20]
[IN Q=I think these]
((I THINK THESE ARE HIGH CALIBER BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING WAGES OF ELEVEN TO TWENTY DOLLARS ON AVERAGE PER PERSON. THAT'S PRETTY SIGNIFICANT FOR OUR AREA.))
[SUPER=01-Phil Sparks/Economic Dev. Partnership;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=for our area]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The new plant should be running by 2002.
Tower Automotives is the fifth transportation-related business to build in Botetourt in five years.
(------------)

[General-Shale]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-56 1:23:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Another Botetourt County company wants to convert forest land to make way for heavy industry -- mining.
General Shale Brick Company has applied for the rezoning .. but the company's neighbors say this will ruin the views from the Blue Ridge Parkway and destroy nature.
Tina Tenret shows us what's at stake.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=General Shale Brick]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Steve Rossi/Neighbor; :16]
[SUPER=@Tina1; :26]
[SUPER=01-Dan Green/General Shale Brick; :53]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=Tina Tenret News7 Botetourt County]
General Shale Brick Company has hit rock bottom -- this mine is just about empty.
So the company wants to clear 40 acres of forest across the street to dig for new material.
But residents don't want more trucks hauling the shale.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:17:00]
[SOT 14:21:24]
[IN Q=We have 13 school]
((WE HAVE 13 SCHOOL BUSES .. UNSAFE CONDITION.
TINA TENRET/NEWS7: THE PLANT SUPERINTENDENT SAYS TRUCKS WILL CROSS THESE TRACKS FROM THIS SMALL DEAD END ROAD ABOUT 160 TIMES A DAY. BUT HE SAYS IF HE DOES NOT GET THIS REZONING, TRUCKS WILL GO TO AND FROM ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY ALONG ROUTE 738, AFFECTING MANY MORE PEOPLE.))
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=PEOPLE]
Trucks here scrape for shale -- they don't blast or tunnel.
You can see how the current plant affects the view.
Local residents also worry about pollution.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:35:25]
[IN Q=CONCERNS ABOUT WATER]
((CONCERNS ABOUT WATER .. IN THIS AREA.))
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=IN THIS AREA]
If the company gets its way -- it will fill this mine so it looks like this grassy hill -- after all, this used to be a mine, too.
The planning commission will consider the rezoning Monday night -- county supervisors plan to make the final decision later this month.
Tina Tenret News7 Botetourt County

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]

A child hit with a BB-gun at a bus stop. Still ahead, police look for drive-by shooter.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:53:20]
[IN Q=How many men]
((HOW MANY MEN GET MARRIED TODAY AND SAY, "I THINK I'M GOING TO HAVE A STRIPPER." THAT'S THE KIND OF BUSINESS I'M IN. WE'VE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT.))
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=problem with it.]
(---------------)
[V/O-NAT]
...until now. She says she been wrongly charged with prostitution- -allegedly working out of a lingerie store in Roanoke. We'll visit the store for the full story next.
(----------------)

[TAPE #1 UB]
[Jasmine]
[11:36:35]
((I PROVIDE DANCING. I PROVIDE ESCORT AND RUB DOWNS. BUT IT'S NOT OUT OF THE STORE. WE DON'T DANCE IN THE STORE. WE DON'T DO RUB DOWNS IN THE STORE. AND WE DO NOT DO ESCORT IN THE STORE. YOU CALL ME, AND I WILL SEND SOMEONE OUT TO YOU. AND IT'S ALL LEGAL.))
[RUNS=:15]

The City Police Vice Squad raided the place Monday night. Earlier that evening "Jasmine" had sent one of her four regulars, a woman who goes by the professional name of "Joy" to meet a customer in his motel room. The customer was an under-cover officer.
Police say Dorothy Underwood agreed to have sexual intercourse with Detective David Clayton, Junior. So, they arrested her for prostitution.
[13:49:30]
((I DID HAVE MY CLOTHES OFF. THAT IS TRUE. AND I WAS IN THE BED.))
[RUNS:03]
She believes Detective Clayton took it the wrong way.
((I WAS IN THE BED TO GIVE A RUB DOWN WHICH IS WHAT WE OFFER.))
[RUNS=:03]

A sign on the door at the lingerie shop, "Delightful Occasions," advertises "sexy lingerie, massage, oils and more."
[11:53:05]
((AND THERE'S NOT REALLY MUCH ROOM IN THE SHOP, BUT WE GET WHAT WE CAN IN HERE.))
[RUNS:03]
But Jasmine insists there's NO room for sex... even off premises on HER time.
She points to her company contract- -that the officer signed- -which prohibits "sex acts of any kind."
The detective had paid her husband 160 dollars for an hour with "Joy."
[12:42]
((THE ACTIVITY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE EXOTIC DANCE AND/OR RUB DOWN.))
[RUNS=:06]

But Mohammed says he can't say what happened in the motel room, because he wasn't there.
He insists he's just a delivery boy for his WIFE's business. HE was arrested for pandering as he came back to pick up "Joy" when her hour was up.
Twenty year old Dorothy Underwood says she's a dancer, a stripper, but not a hooker.
[13:49:55]
((I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A LONG TIME. AND I'VE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND I'M NOT A PROSTITUTE. I'VE NEVER HAD THIS CHARGE.))
[RUNS=:07]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Her case is set for trial next month. [Breeden]

A man facing 42 federal charges over an alleged tax scheme says he can't find a lawyer to take his case.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Jeffrey Randall Breeden of Big Island was supposed to enter a plea in Lynchburg's federal court this morning.
But Breeden told the judge he's had trouble finding a lawyer willing to defend him against the I-R-S.
The government claims Breeden defrauded several people by convincing them they didn't need to pay federal income tax.
Breeden has until March 20th to hire a lawyer or the court will assign one to him.
(------------)

[Crutchfield]

The Chairman and Chief Executive of First Union Corporation is giving up one of those titles for health reasons.
Today, Edward Crutchfield announced he will step aside as chief executive while he receives treatment for lymphoma, a form of cancer.
Crutchfield will continue to serve as Chairman. President G. Kennedy Thompson will take over as CEO.

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

A late selloff led to a mixed close on Wall Street.
[TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE ]
[RUNS=:25]
[SUPER=x5102;]
[SUPER=430-y/81.91/9928.82/x/1.76/5048.62;]

[SUPER=434-ia/16g/ig/47b/he/29r/i1!/54b/i&/48a;][CMSIP]

Health insurance is a necessity that some families still can't fit into their budgets.
But the Virginia Health Care Foundation is providing a grant for FREE medical insurance to children in the New River Valley who qualify.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]

The program, Children's Medical Security Insurance Plan or CIM-SIP is offered by many employers now, including the I-HOP restaurant in Christiansburg.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 0:11:39]
[IN Q=This will]
((RHONDA SELTZ/C.M.S.I.P. PROJECT DIRECTOR: THIS WILL GIVE FAMILIES A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THEIR CHILDREN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE THAT THEY DESPERATELY NEED.))
[SOT 0:19:01]
[IN Q=From an employer]
((CHARLES SINK/I.H.O.P. GENERAL MANAGER: FROM AN EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVE, IT'S GOING TO CUT DOWN ON MY ABSENTEEISM. PARENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE THE OPTION TO TAKE THEIR KIDS IN FOR TREATMENT BEFORE MINOR PROBLEMS BECOME A SERIOUS PROBLEMS.))
[SUPER=01-Rhonda Seltz/CMSIP Project Director;]
[SUPER=01-Charles Sink/IHOP General Manager;]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=SERIOUS PROBLEMS]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sink says several of his employees are taking part in the program.
And while social services decides which children qualify, it is NOT a welfare program.
(------------)

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on the Big 7, plenty of March Madness as the Heels get kicked out of the ACC tournament.
We'll also check in on qualifying in Atlanta.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And talk with the Virginia Cavaliers as they preare to tip off their tourney opener at seven against NC State.
(------------)

Smith is no stranger to the Colonels program. He's served as an assistant for 17 years.
The Colonels were hit hard by graduation.
And Smith's major concern as he takes over the program is numbers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Last year...]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=.....more, so."]
(------------)

We pick up the action in the second half as UNC would close in on a 31-24 Wake lead at the break. Julius Peppers with the thunderous slam.
Brendan Haywood's dunk pulled the Tarheels to within 2, 40-38 with 12 minutes to play in the game.
[SUPER=33-Wake Forest/58/North Carolina/52;]But The Demon Deacons got big production out of reserves like Craig Daws
on who scored 17 points off the bench.
The difference was Wake's bench as it outscored UNC's 21 to 4 in the 58-52 win.
(------------)
[wipe to eng#!!!!!!!!!!!]

[S-FSU]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-49 15147tc]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[WIPE TO ENG#!!!!!!!!!!!]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC/Seminoles vs. Terrapins; :00]
Roanoke native Steve Robinson knew his Seminoles would have to be on top of their game to have a chance against the talented Terps.
But Maryland turned this one into a lopsided affair quickly as Terrence Morris hits the long jumper from the right side.
And then Juan Dixon went inside off the cut and knocked in this layup for Maryland.
[SUPER=33-Maryland/82/Florida State/61;]
The Terps just have too many weapons all the way around. Lonnie Baxter gets ahead of the pack and throws down the jam. Maryland moves on to the semis with the 82 to 61 win.
(------------)

[SUPER=X5001; Clears FX][Promo]

Someone apparently shot a 12 year old in the head with a b-b or pellet gun while he was waiting for the school bus.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Jean/Newsroom]

Jean Jadhon is in the newsroom with more on the story.
[Live=Jean Full/Newsroom]
[SUPER=@Jean1;]

Keith,
Travis Dearien (DARE-ee-un) says it happened yesterday afternoon... at the corner
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
off of Howbert and Main street.
Dearien -- who didn't want his face on television -- says two boys driving in a maroon car slowed down -- and then shot -- hitting him in the side of the head.
Travis says while he while it didn't hurt he and his friends are concerned for their safety
(---------------)
[Live=Jean Full/Newsroom]

Tonight on News 7 at 11, we'll tell how this incident has affected the community -- and how the parents are reacting.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Jean/Newsroom]
Keith,